Thanakorn Chompoorat, Pisit Palasing, Anupong Khamplod, Thanakit Thepumong, Suched Likitlersuang
The use of waste materials for soil stabilisation has attracted considerable attention due to both environmental and engineering benefits. This study investigates the performance of cement-treated lakebed sediments (LS) reinforced with corn husk fibre (CHF) for potential application in road construction. LS sourced from Phayao Lake in northern Thailand was mixed with cement at a ratio of 7% and reinforced with CHF at varying contents of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, with fibre lengths of 10, 20, and 40 mm, respectively. The mechanical properties of the reinforced LS–cement mixtures were assessed through unconfined compression, indirect tensile, flexural, resilient modulus, and free-free resonance tests. The results demonstrated that fibre reinforcement significantly enhanced ductility, toughness, and residual strength, thereby mitigating the brittle behaviour typically observed in cement-treated LS. The optimal performance was achieved at 1% CHF with fibre lengths of 10–20 mm, improving both the compressive strength and flexural strength while maintaining satisfactory workability. Furthermore, microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed improved bonding and matrix densification due to fibre addition, contributing to increased toughness. These findings suggest that CHF-reinforced LS–cement mixtures represent a sustainable solution for road construction, effectively reducing agricultural waste while enhancing the mechanical performance of road materials.